The Cook County Sheriffs Office has announced that the search for the
young man who was presumed drowned in the Temperance River is over.
The body of Alec Paul Bertil Lawrenz, 18, of Wayzata, Minnesota was
recovered from the waters of the Temperance River at approximately 1:42
p.m. The matter is under investigation, but no foul play is suspected.
The Sheriffs Office had received a 9-1-1 call at 6:34 p.m. on June
11, reporting that “a kid fell into the gorge at Temperance River State
Park.” On arrival, emergency responders learned that Lawrenz, who was
camping with a group of friends, was swimming when he went through the
strong current under a bridge and did not resurface.
Search efforts lasted until dark on June 11 and resumed on June 12
and again today. Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen said efforts to recover
the body were hampered by the strong river current, limited visibility
under the water and the presence of debris. Sheriff Eliasen said the
river bottom in this area ranges from 3-10 feet in depth and there are
trees, rocks and concrete containing remnant of re-bar making any
dragging efforts problematic. Weather and the subsequent rising of water
levels in the river have also impeded recovery efforts.
Agencies involved in the search efforts were Cook County Sheriff’s
Office, Minnesota State Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, Minnesota State Park
Rangers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Border Patrol,
Tofte First Responders, and the Cook County Ambulance. Cook County
Search and Rescue was assisted by Itasca County Search and Rescue, as
well as St. Louis County Search and Rescue. Use of divers was not
possible so far due to the dangerous conditions of current and debris.
The scenic, but deadly, Temperance River has been the site of many
drownings. On August 2, 2013, Pavel Shtrefleng of Eden Prairie,
Minnesota, was swimming in a pool just below the bridge when, according
to witnesses, he got caught in the current and was pulled under. On July
4, 2009, a 45-year-old man from Ramsey, Minnesota was swept away in the
current while swimming. In 2008, two young women, 17 and 22, from Maple
Grove, Minnesota perished after being swept away by the current in a
popular wading spot further up the river. In 2001, a 22-year-old hiker
from Finland, Minnesota died after falling in the river. In 2000, a
50-year-old Wisconsin man drowned while saving his eight-year-old son.
Another father, 48, from Remer, Minnesota drowned while rescuing his
12-year-old daughter. In 1996, a 14-year-old boy from Crystal, Minnesota
drowned after diving at one of Temperance’s waterfalls.
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